Silver Spring, Md., Oct. 24, 2005 - The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) named Iris Aschenbrand, a fourth grade teacher from Hunt Meadows Elementary School, in Easley, S.C., Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

The award comes as no surprise to her pupils and colleagues who describe her as someone who lives and breathes social studies. Aschenbrand will be honored at the 85th NCSS Annual Conference Nov. 17-20 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Mo. She will receive a commemorative gift and a $2,500 award. The Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year Awards Reception will be held Friday, Nov. 18, at 6.30 p.m., sponsored by Scholastic Inc.

Aschenbrand will present a session at the conference on various ways to spark her students‚ interests in social studies. The workshop, 'It's In the box,' will be held Saturday Nov. 19 12:30-1:30 p.m.

The award is presented annually to recognize exceptional social studies teachers. The candidates must demonstrate exceptional abilities in developing and using instructional material creatively and effectively; show that they incorporate innovative instructional strategies and techniques into their teaching; be able to demonstrate the ability to foster a spirit of inquiry; and encourage the development of democratic beliefs, values, and skills needed to become effective citizens.

Aschenbrand said, "I try to instill in my students that they hold the key to a truer democracy, a stronger nation, and better world. By studying great individuals, many with humble roots, I hope they will begin to understand that they don't have to be, and should not consider being, a mediocre American or world citizen." She added, "Everyday I face the challenge of realizing that the leaders of tomorrow are sitting in front of me."

Aschenbrand brings history to life for her students, as she turns her classroom into a living museum. Each year she hosts a potlatch (a custom some Native American tribes practice to show their wealth to their guests) to celebrate Native American culture. Both pupils and teachers dress in costume, play Native American games, and sample traditional cuisine. Students immerse themselves in history and culture, not just by reading what life was like for people, but also by getting a chance to experience it.

Later in the year, she turns the classroom into a living museum, where the children themselves are exhibits. The children research their favorite historical figures from the Civil War and come dressed in character and prepared to teach the other children about who that person is.

One of the children's favorite activities is the treasure chest, where they can discover history. The students love picking items out of the box that tell stories of the time they are discovering. The "Native American treasure chest" contains maps, books, gold nuggets, pottery, baskets, dream catchers, beads, and often items they can keep like a gold ring or a field trip ticket.

Aschenbrand's enthusiasm for teaching reflects her own love of learning. She is continually improving her knowledge and her teaching style. She is a member of a panel assisting the South Carolina Oversight Committee and a panel assisting the Buros Institute for Assessment on social studies curriculum. She shares her teaching expertise with others and is currently helping to create a database to share lesson plans with other teachers.

Nancy Prince, principal at Hunt Meadows Elementary, said Aschenbrand is a "master teacher, grant writer, workshop speaker, advisor teacher, mentor, and committee member. Iris Aschenbrand tirelessly serves her students, the staff, her district, and her state."

Aschenbrand has been teaching for 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Science, from Bob Jones University in South Carolina and a Master's in Education from Columbia College, Columbia, S.C. She was awarded the 2004 South Carolina Social Studies Elementary Teacher of Excellence Award.

Nearly 4,000 social studies professionals are expected to attend the 2005 NCSS Annual Conference. The NCSS conference is the largest gathering of social studies educators in the nation. This year's central theme will be "Social Studies: The Heart of the Curriculum." For more information visit the NCSS website at http://www.socialstudies.org.

Founded in 1921, the National Council for the Social Studies has grown into the largest association in the country for social studies professionals, with 26,000 members in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 69 foreign countries. Membership includes K - 16 classroom teachers, curriculum supervisors and specialists, curriculum writers and designers, and teacher educators. The NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for K - 16 teachers of civics, history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology and law-related education. Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.